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Kenya

© Shutterstock/Thammanoon Khamchalee

Explore Kenya

Kenya's underwater world is as mesmerizing as its famed savannahs. Diving along the country's coast offers a unique experience, revealing vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and historic shipwrecks. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide excellent conditions for both novice and experienced divers, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet. Popular dive spots include Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Watamu Marine Park, where divers can explore the rich biodiversity of the reefs and encounter species like sea turtles, reef sharks, and an astonishing variety of colorful fish.

Liveaboard trips and boat dives are common, allowing divers to explore more remote sites, while shore dives offer easy access to beautiful underwater landscapes. Seasonal changes bring diverse marine life, such as the migration of whale sharks, making each dive a unique adventure. Kenya's diving scene is not just about the marine ecosystem; it also includes a blend of cultural encounters with coastal communities, adding depth to the overall experience. Whether you're drifting along coral gardens or exploring a sunken wreck, diving in Kenya provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of the ocean.

Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff & Guides / Tipping is expected in restaurants, hotels, and tours; amount may vary based on service quality
Airports
NBO, MBA
Currency
KES
Dial Code
+254
Electricity
240 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+3

Top Regions to Explore

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Top Wildlife Sightings in Kenya

Kenya's marine ecosystems, particularly along the Indian Ocean coastline, are rich with diverse marine life. Common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish populate the vibrant coral reefs, offering divers a colorful underwater spectacle year-round. These species are abundant and can be seen in popular diving spots like Watamu and Malindi Marine Parks.

Seasonal highlights include the migration of whale sharks, primarily sighted from November to March. Green and hawksbill turtles are also commonly encountered, especially around designated conservation areas like the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve. Additionally, manta rays and various types of reef sharks can be seen at certain times of the year, enhancing the diving experience. Being aware of these seasonal patterns increases the likelihood of encountering these majestic creatures.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

1.4k Sightings
J
123
F
124
M
192
A
141
M
60
J
63
J
73
A
116
S
103
O
151
N
115
D
164

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

975 Sightings
J
102
F
107
M
170
A
75
M
37
J
43
J
35
A
48
S
52
O
107
N
100
D
99
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

643 Sightings
J
62
F
55
M
86
A
91
M
27
J
26
J
17
A
24
S
47
O
58
N
64
D
86

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

486 Sightings
J
49
F
47
M
97
A
34
M
15
J
12
J
23
A
26
S
43
O
64
N
40
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

151 Sightings
J
23
F
28
M
33
A
8
M
4
J
2
J
6
A
5
S
5
O
3
N
19
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

141 Sightings
J
22
F
20
M
20
A
11
M
9
J
3
J
0
A
6
S
13
O
10
N
10
D
17
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

77 Sightings
J
6
F
12
M
5
A
5
M
6
J
3
J
2
A
12
S
5
O
9
N
4
D
8
Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin

59 Sightings
J
18
F
5
M
3
A
2
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
1
S
6
O
9
N
3
D
9
Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback Turtle

55 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
0
A
9
M
2
J
2
J
8
A
9
S
2
O
8
N
5
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

823 Sightings
J
85
F
95
M
148
A
67
M
15
J
39
J
31
A
64
S
56
O
93
N
72
D
58

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

799 Sightings
J
84
F
95
M
130
A
70
M
18
J
40
J
27
A
51
S
44
O
79
N
71
D
90

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

651 Sightings
J
83
F
97
M
109
A
52
M
12
J
28
J
25
A
45
S
40
O
63
N
38
D
59

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

611 Sightings
J
86
F
81
M
95
A
54
M
13
J
19
J
23
A
39
S
33
O
65
N
49
D
54

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

586 Sightings
J
69
F
77
M
117
A
32
M
13
J
27
J
26
A
33
S
38
O
59
N
42
D
53

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

575 Sightings
J
64
F
82
M
102
A
46
M
5
J
13
J
12
A
40
S
27
O
54
N
64
D
66

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

521 Sightings
J
44
F
76
M
96
A
33
M
12
J
19
J
21
A
38
S
39
O
61
N
35
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

486 Sightings
J
60
F
51
M
67
A
49
M
13
J
25
J
20
A
28
S
33
O
47
N
47
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

465 Sightings
J
65
F
49
M
59
A
31
M
10
J
26
J
20
A
38
S
29
O
54
N
36
D
48

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

453 Sightings
J
51
F
37
M
50
A
33
M
11
J
21
J
23
A
41
S
37
O
45
N
28
D
76

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

432 Sightings
J
61
F
59
M
81
A
26
M
6
J
13
J
21
A
24
S
20
O
44
N
18
D
59

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

428 Sightings
J
47
F
53
M
64
A
34
M
22
J
13
J
16
A
33
S
34
O
45
N
31
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

388 Sightings
J
43
F
29
M
72
A
22
M
6
J
20
J
24
A
29
S
27
O
49
N
31
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

384 Sightings
J
52
F
35
M
62
A
21
M
11
J
16
J
11
A
16
S
18
O
52
N
53
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

323 Sightings
J
31
F
46
M
86
A
22
M
5
J
9
J
5
A
10
S
22
O
43
N
17
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

296 Sightings
J
43
F
47
M
53
A
28
M
1
J
8
J
12
A
17
S
15
O
19
N
19
D
34

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

295 Sightings
J
50
F
40
M
58
A
15
M
5
J
8
J
7
A
28
S
17
O
21
N
24
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

247 Sightings
J
30
F
51
M
55
A
17
M
3
J
4
J
13
A
17
S
11
O
15
N
14
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

196 Sightings
J
18
F
30
M
54
A
16
M
3
J
7
J
10
A
11
S
8
O
21
N
8
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

196 Sightings
J
23
F
25
M
59
A
11
M
1
J
13
J
7
A
13
S
5
O
18
N
9
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

178 Sightings
J
31
F
23
M
37
A
9
M
2
J
0
J
5
A
9
S
18
O
11
N
9
D
24
Leaf Scorpionfish

Leaf Scorpionfish

170 Sightings
J
19
F
20
M
17
A
19
M
17
J
10
J
2
A
10
S
9
O
11
N
17
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

160 Sightings
J
13
F
11
M
23
A
14
M
3
J
3
J
4
A
2
S
13
O
31
N
24
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

149 Sightings
J
23
F
9
M
21
A
11
M
6
J
4
J
2
A
4
S
6
O
25
N
13
D
25
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

132 Sightings
J
9
F
6
M
9
A
16
M
8
J
10
J
11
A
13
S
20
O
12
N
8
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

121 Sightings
J
23
F
14
M
17
A
6
M
2
J
3
J
4
A
7
S
6
O
22
N
9
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

121 Sightings
J
24
F
23
M
14
A
7
M
4
J
1
J
5
A
2
S
3
O
8
N
15
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

112 Sightings
J
19
F
17
M
19
A
12
M
3
J
1
J
3
A
8
S
11
O
4
N
8
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Snake Eel

Snake Eel

111 Sightings
J
26
F
6
M
27
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
4
A
5
S
2
O
7
N
7
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

109 Sightings
J
23
F
11
M
21
A
1
M
2
J
3
J
7
A
5
S
6
O
11
N
9
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

99 Sightings
J
23
F
17
M
24
A
8
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
2
S
6
O
12
N
3
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

93 Sightings
J
18
F
8
M
27
A
8
M
2
J
2
J
4
A
5
S
1
O
4
N
10
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Cornetfish

Cornetfish

86 Sightings
J
5
F
8
M
12
A
22
M
3
J
11
J
0
A
2
S
7
O
4
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

80 Sightings
J
15
F
12
M
29
A
5
M
1
J
6
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
3
N
5
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

76 Sightings
J
9
F
4
M
16
A
15
M
3
J
1
J
4
A
3
S
3
O
6
N
3
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Squid

Squid

57 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
13
A
4
M
1
J
4
J
0
A
4
S
4
O
5
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Skate Fish

Skate Fish

54 Sightings
J
1
F
7
M
5
A
11
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
16
N
10
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Guitarfish

Guitarfish

50 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
3
A
2
M
6
J
1
J
3
A
8
S
12
O
5
N
1
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

50 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
13
A
12
M
5
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
4
N
6
D
0
Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

48 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
7
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
7
A
3
S
2
O
6
N
4
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

48 Sightings
J
11
F
4
M
13
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
4
O
6
N
3
D
2
Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)

Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)

46 Sightings
J
6
F
6
M
6
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
1
O
4
N
6
D
12
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

42 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
5
A
1
M
5
J
3
J
10
A
1
S
5
O
6
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

37 Sightings
J
7
F
6
M
5
A
4
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
1
O
1
N
4
D
4

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